Patents by Inventor Hubertus Steffens

Hubertus Steffens has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11021191
    Abstract: A structural component for a motor vehicle body comprises: an outer panel with an outer wall and two outer flange portions; an inner panel with an inner wall and two inner flange portions; a reinforcing profile with a profile base, two profile walls opposite one another and two connecting portions connected thereto; wherein, in an upper pillar section, a maximum profile height of the reinforcing profile is greater than a maximum profile height of the outer panel, wherein the connecting portions of the reinforcing profile are supported against the inner wall, and wherein the connecting portions of the reinforcing profile are supported against the inner wall, and wherein the outer flange portions and the inner flange portions directly abut one another and are fixed to one another, wherein the connecting portions of the reinforcing profile are fixed, at least in a lower section of the structural component, between the outer flange portions and the inner flange portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Johannes Walch, Michael Stein, Hubertus Steffens
  • Patent number: 11001307
    Abstract: A B-pillar for a motor vehicle body extends along a longitudinal axis, and comprises an upper metal portion for connecting the B-pillar to a roof area of the motor vehicle body and a lower metal portion for connecting the B-pillar to a sill area of the motor vehicle body; and a fiber composite component comprising fibers and a plastic matrix, the upper metal portion comprising an upper region for force introduction, and the lower metal portion comprising a lower region for force introduction being axially spaced from the upper region for force introduction, the upper region for force introduction and the lower region for force introduction being embedded into the fiber composite component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Hubertus Steffens, Bernhard Spielvogel
  • Publication number: 20190367095
    Abstract: A B-pillar for a motor vehicle body extends along a longitudinal axis, and comprises an upper metal portion for connecting the B-pillar to a roof area of the motor vehicle body and a lower metal portion for connecting the B-pillar to a sill area of the motor vehicle body; and a fiber composite component comprising fibers and a plastic matrix, the upper metal portion comprising an upper region for force introduction, and the lower metal portion comprising a lower region for force introduction being axially spaced from the upper region for force introduction, the upper region for force introduction and the lower region for force introduction being embedded into the fiber composite component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Hubertus Steffens, Bernhard Spielvogel
  • Publication number: 20190233019
    Abstract: A structural component for a motor vehicle body comprises: an outer panel with an outer wall and two outer flange portions; an inner panel with an inner wall and two inner flange portions; a reinforcing profile with a profile base, two profile walls opposite one another and two connecting portions connected thereto; wherein, in an upper pillar section, a maximum profile height of the reinforcing profile is greater than a maximum profile height of the outer panel, wherein the connecting portions of the reinforcing profile are supported against the inner wall, and wherein the connecting portions of the reinforcing profile are supported against the inner wall, and wherein the outer flange portions and the inner flange portions directly abut one another and are fixed to one another, wherein the connecting portions of the reinforcing profile are fixed, at least in a lower section of the structural component, between the outer flange portions and the inner flange portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Johannes Walch, Michael Stein, Hubertus Steffens
  • Patent number: 10351177
    Abstract: A B-pillar for a motor vehicle body comprises a sheet metal formed part having a head portion, a central portion and a base portion, and an inner side and an outer side. The head portion, on the inner side, comprises a connecting region for connection to a roof region of the motor vehicle body. The base portion can connect to a sill region. The central portion extends between the head portion and the base portion and defines a longitudinal direction of the B-pillar. The sheet metal formed part comprises a hat profile such that on the inner side a hollow chamber is formed; and a fiber composite part having an upper portion, a central portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion comprises a contact region that laterally embraces a supporting region and is supported against same in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Hubertus Steffens, Bernhard Spielvogel
  • Patent number: 10260118
    Abstract: A formed and hardened component made from a metallic material is post-treated by a device for electric resistance heating that has at least one first pair of contact pieces and at least one second pair of contact pieces; contacting a first partial region of the component with the contact pieces of the first pair such that the first partial region is arranged between the contact pieces of the first pair; contacting the second partial region of the component with the contact pieces of the second pair such that the second partial region is arranged between the contact pieces of the second pair; heating of the first partial region of the component to a first temperature by conducting electric current through the component by the first pair of contact pieces; setting the second partial region of the component to a second temperature by the second pair of contact pieces, which is set independently of the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Hubertus Steffens, Christoph Hahn, Benedikt Goddeke
  • Patent number: 10065683
    Abstract: A B-pillar for a motor vehicle body has an inner panel made of sheet metal material and a multi-component outer panel connected to the inner panel. The outer panel comprises a lower formed part made of sheet metal material and an upper formed part made of fiber reinforced plastic, which two formed parts are arranged along a region of overlap so as to overlap one another and are connected to one another such that the lower formed part projects from the upper formed part beyond the upper formed part beyond the region of overlap in a first direction of longitudinal extension of the B-pillar and that the upper formed part projects from the lower formed part beyond the region of overlap in a second direction of longitudinal extension of the B-pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Hubertus Steffens, Bernhard Spielvogel
  • Publication number: 20180065681
    Abstract: A B-pillar for a motor vehicle body comprises a sheet metal formed part having a head portion, a central portion and a base portion, and an inner side and an outer side. The head portion, on the inner side, comprises a connecting region for connection to a roof region of the motor vehicle body. The base portion can connect to a sill region. The central portion extends between the head portion and the base portion and defines a longitudinal direction of the B-pillar. The sheet metal formed part comprises a hat profile such that on the inner side a hollow chamber is formed; and a fibre composite part having an upper portion, a central portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion comprises a contact region that laterally embraces a supporting region and is supported against same in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Hubertus Steffens, Bernhard Spielvogel
  • Publication number: 20170073017
    Abstract: A B-pillar for a motor vehicle body has an inner panel made of sheet metal material and a multi-component outer panel connected to the inner panel. The outer panel comprises a lower formed part made of sheet metal material and an upper formed part made of fibre reinforced plastic, which two formed parts are arranged along a region of overlap so as to overlap one another and are connected to one another such that the lower formed part projects from the upper formed part beyond the upper formed part beyond the region of overlap in a first direction of longitudinal extension of the B-pillar and that the upper formed part projects from the lower formed part beyond the region of overlap in a second direction of longitudinal extension of the B-pillar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Hubertus Steffens, Bernhard Spielvogel
  • Patent number: 9533713
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a structural component 1; 21; 31; 41, in particular for a motor vehicle body, comprising a cold-formed first formed part 2; 32; 42 and a warm-formed and hardened second formed part 3; 23; 33 with a variable thickness along a longitudinal extension L2 of the second formed part 3; 23; 33, wherein the second formed part 3; 23; 33 has a connection portion 7; 27; 37 for being connected to the first formed part 2; 32; 42, wherein the connection portion 7; 27; 37 is distanced from an outer edge 13 of the first formed part 2; 32; 42 such, that the structural component 1; 21; 31; 41 has a one-layered flange portion 12 of the first formed part 2; 32; 42 between the connection portion 7; 27; 37 and the outer edge 13, and wherein the first formed part 2; 32; 42 and the second formed part 3; 23; 33 are connected to each other by means of a high energy beam welding seam 19 along a connection edge 18 of the connection portion 7; 17; 27.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Hubertus Steffens, Christoph Hahn
  • Publication number: 20160122889
    Abstract: A product is made from a rolled strip material with the steps: rolling of a strip material from a sheet metal; working of a blank out of the rolled strip material; forming of the blank to a formed part; cleaning the formed part such that an amount of maximal 0.7 ppm of diffusible hydrogen is introduced into the formed part by cleaning, and coating the formed part with a metal coating material for producing a corrosion protection coating, wherein the step of coating is carried out in an immersion bath with an electrolyte solution, wherein between the formed part and the electrolyte solution a flow is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: Muhr und Bender KG
    Inventors: Thomas Muhr, Christoph Schneider, Jörg Dieter Brecht, Christoph Hahn, Jürgen Butzkamm, Hubertus Steffens, Wolfgang Eberlein
  • Publication number: 20160046328
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a structural component 1; 21; 31; 41, in particular for a motor vehicle body, comprising a cold-formed first formed part 2; 32; 42 and a warm-formed and hardened second formed part 3; 23; 33 with a variable thickness along a longitudinal extension L2 of the second formed part 3; 23; 33, wherein the second formed part 3; 23; 33 has a connection portion 7; 27; 37 for being connected to the first formed part 2; 32; 42, wherein the connection portion 7; 27; 37 is distanced from an outer edge 13 of the first formed part 2; 32; 42 such, that the structural component 1; 21; 31; 41 has a one-layered flange portion 12 of the first formed part 2; 32; 42 between the connection portion 7; 27; 37 and the outer edge 13, and wherein the first formed part 2; 32; 42 and the second formed part 3; 23; 33 are connected to each other by means of a high energy beam welding seam 19 along a connection edge 18 of the connection portion 7; 17; 27.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Hubertus Steffens, Christoph Hahn
  • Publication number: 20150159234
    Abstract: A formed and hardened component made from a metallic material is post-treated by a device for electric resistance heating that has at least one first pair of contact pieces and at least one second pair of contact pieces; contacting a first partial region of the component with the contact pieces of the first pair such that the first partial region is arranged between the contact pieces of the first pair; contacting the second partial region of the component with the contact pieces of the second pair such that the second partial region is arranged between the contact pieces of the second pair; heating of the first partial region of the component to a first temperature by conducting electric current through the component by the first pair of contact pieces; setting the second partial region of the component to a second temperature by the second pair of contact pieces, which is set independently of the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Hubertus Steffens, Christoph Hahn, Benedikt Goddeke
  • Publication number: 20090212521
    Abstract: An auxiliary supporting frame for receiving drive shafts of a vehicle, wherein the auxiliary supporting frame has longitudinal supporting arms and transverse supporting arms connecting the latter to each other in order to form a closed frame shape, and wherein one or more openings are provided for the passage of drive shafts or shaft sections, and having at least one stiffening sleeve element is arranged in the at least one opening in at least one longitudinal supporting arm or in a section of the auxiliary supporting frame, and the sleeve element is fitted in such a manner into the opening between shells, parts or walls of the at least one longitudinal supporting arm, which is designed as a hollow body, the said shells, parts or walls forming a longitudinal supporting arm, and is fastened in such a manner to the shells, parts or walls of the at least one longitudinal supporting arm that it closes off the opening to the interior of the hollow body in a sealing manner in order to form protection against corros
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Automotive Group ISE Innomotive Systems Europe GMBH
    Inventors: Hubertus Steffens, Sascha Dorner, Frank Weisse, Reiner Hielscher
  • Patent number: 7506920
    Abstract: A crossmember for supporting and limiting torsional forces of an engine unit relative to a mounting frame, particularly a vehicle body, wherein the crossmember is provided with at least one area or one device for introducing torsional forces into the crossmember.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: ISE Innomotive Systems Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Günther, Hubertus Steffens
  • Publication number: 20070267239
    Abstract: In a device for the side impact protection for a vehicle door of a vehicle, at least one arrangement is provided for moving the vehicle door before and/or during an impact outwards in the direction away from the vehicle interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: AUTOMOTIVE GROUP ISE INNOMOTIVE SYSTEMS EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Engels, Stefan Gunther, Eckhard Hauer, Hubertus Steffens
  • Publication number: 20070108802
    Abstract: A crossmember for supporting and limiting torsional forces of an engine unit relative to a mounting frame, particularly a vehicle body, wherein the crossmember is provided with at least one area or one device for introducing torsional forces into the crossmember.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: ISE INNOMOTIVE SYSTEMS EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Gunther, Hubertus Steffens
  • Patent number: 6595579
    Abstract: A supporting pillar for a body frame of a passenger motor vehicle comprises a pillar-shaped hollow body with at least one profile shell. In the hollow body, a tubular body is arranged which essentially extends longitudinally through the hollow body and is attached to it. A lower region of the tubular body is held in a bracket attached to the profile shell. The bracket comprises two walls spaced apart from each other longitudinally. Each wall comprises a receiving aperture into which the lower region of the tubular body has been inserted, with the tubular body being attached at the receiving aperture to this bracket. The tubular body rests against, and is attached to the profile shell along a straight line, and is inclined in relation to a vertical line perpendicular to the walls of the bracket. The tubular body has an elbow between its lower region, and the region resting against the profile shell along the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler AG, ISE Innomotive Systems Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Elmar Freitag, Mario Glashagel, Bernhard Holzapfel, Hubertus Steffens, Alois Voss
  • Publication number: 20020167197
    Abstract: A supporting pillar for a body frame of a passenger motor vehicle comprises a pillar-shaped hollow body with at least one profile shell. In the hollow body, a tubular body is arranged which essentially extends longitudinally through the hollow body and is attached to it. A lower region of the tubular body is held in a bracket attached to the profile shell. The bracket comprises two walls spaced apart from each other longitudinally. Each wall comprises a receiving aperture into which the lower region of the tubular body has been inserted, with the tubular body being attached at the receiving aperture to this bracket. The tubular body rests against, and is attached to the profile shell along a straight line, and is inclined in relation to a vertical line perpendicular to the walls of the bracket. The tubular body has an elbow between its lower region, and the region resting against the profile shell along the line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Elmar Freitag, Mario Glashagel, Bernhard Holzapfel, Hubertus Steffens, Alois Voss